A seminar series at Stanford University

In a rapidly urbanizing world, "the city" paves the way toward sustainability and social well-being. But what does it mean for a city to be “smart”? Does that also make it “sustainable” or “resilient” or “livable”? This seminar delves into current debates about urbanism through weekly talks by experts on topics such as human-centered design, big data, new urbanism, natural capital, and more. We will discover how urban spaces are shaped—for better or worse—by the complex interaction of cutting-edge technology, human societies, and the natural environment. The goal of the seminar is to provoke vigorous discussion and to foster an understanding of cities that is at once technological, humanistic, and ecologically sound.

​Sustainability is not only about technological adaptation; it’s also about enhancing social fabric, the patient extension and augmentation of our mutual connections, and our ability to function as a society. It’s about weaving change with what people know instead of venerating it as a disruptive, violent force. — Damon Rich (2015) in Designed for the Future

​Architects and engineers of smart cities will need to draw on both informatics and urbanism simultaneously… To be effective at getting their designs built, they will need to deeply understand smart systems and their risks and benefits, and be able to explain it all to non-expert stakeholders. — Anthony Townsend (2013), Smart Cities